Just realized school of choice is not accredited-now what?

[melc0305]

I thought I'd decided on a school where I wanted to pursue a nursing degree...but after doing research, I see that it is not an NLN accredited school. It was the closest and cheapest option. The only other school close enough is way out of my price range. This would be my 2nd degree, so I am not eligible for grants. Is this a deal breaker? I've read on this board that many classes from a non accredited school will not transfer for higher degrees in nursing and that employers prefer accredited programs. Very unsure if I should pursue this career or not now...

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

It depends. Does the school itself have a good reputation. NLN accreditation is only one factor to consider and seems to be more common on the East coast than the West Coast

[Saysfaa]

There is more than one reputable accreditation, does it have any?

[UVA Grad Nursing]

There are two types of accreditation. One is nursing accreditation (NLN or CCNE). The second is regional accreditation (New England States, Middle States, Western States, North Central States, etc).

Different schools and employers will treat this question in different matters. Here in my state, the Magnet hospitals and VA Administration will not hire RNs from schools that lack the national nursing accreditation. Smaller community hospitals and LTC facilities may not be as concerned about this. Some schools in my state here will accept students from schools without NLN accreditation into their BSN or MSN programs, and some will not.

The regional accreditation is more important with the transfer of credit. Do not expect credit from schools that are lacking regional accreditation to transfer to another school. I would recommend looking into this before you pay tuition.

[melc0305]

This is the only thing it says

The program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Does that matter?

[llg, PhD, RN]

No. State approval means only that they are allowed to run a school and you can take the State Board exam (NCLEX). It says nothing about whether or not the credits earned at a school will be respected by employers or other schools.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Sounds to me as if you need to keep walking and never look back at this school, seriously. To attend a nursing school with state BON approval and NLN or CCNE accreditation is your safest best, considering the amount of money you are investing in tuition. This is even more important if you're even considering furthering your education at the grad level later on.

[Taurus12788]

which school is it?

[shaas, ASN, RN]

I would recommend that you find an accredited program at a local community college. If the unaccredited institution is the only option in the vicinity, then you need to widen your search radius as well as lengthen the commute distance. I know a few people who drive an hour or so to their program as not everything in L.A. is within 20-minute-range any more, even sans traffic.

Or, if you already have a BA/BS, attempt for a EL-MSN, but you pay graduate tuition for the RN portion. Those can be found in your 4-year institutions, be it private or public. Here a link to your State's approved RN programs.

http://nursing.illinois.gov/education.asp#RNASSOC

If grants are no longer afforded to you, then you'd have to rely on federal student loans (file your FAFSA) or work-study.

Good luck.

[melc0305]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. The school was Waubonsee Community College. It would have been very convenient and the only school I would not have to get a loan to cover tuition.

But the last thing I want to do is invest time and money into something that won't benefit me in getting a job and/or further education.

Sigh...back to the drawing board.